General News
10 June, 2026
Gallery reflects on successful year at AGM
AVOCA Community Arts and Gardens held its Annual General Meeting over the weekend, with the committee returning for another year, with Pol Balane taking on the role of treasurer, replacing Johann Westin.
President Hugh Forster said one of the highlights of 2025 was the successful Barking Owl Festival, which continued to grow and attract increased sponsorship, allowing for the introduction of additional categories, including some youth awards in the annual art show. “No art show of the standard we successfully presented can be achieved without the support of many organisations and individuals,” he said.
Mr Forster said the gallery's monthly exhibition program had experienced some challenges throughout the year, but the overwhelming passion within the art world weathered the storm.“The gallery's monthly program of special exhibitions has continued to encounter difficulties with forward bookings, which were overcome through extending some displays to a second month,” he said. Among them, the current exhibition, Demanding Proof by Colin Clark, has also been extended until June 30, allowing locals to get a look at the eye-catching and humorous local prints.
Despite broader economic challenges affecting art sales, he said the gallery had remained in a strong position. “We're quite well off. Given art's not selling, we are holding strong,” he said.
Mr Forster praised the variety of exhibitions and events held throughout 2025, including art workshops, live music and special exhibitions that continued to attract visitors to the gallery.
The committee is also preparing for this year's annual art show, which will be held in conjunction with celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the railway in Avoca. The gallery also has a wide variety of exhibitions scheduled for the remainder of the year, including the upcoming exhibition by Amna Irshad. “It will go right through to the end of the year,” Mr Forster said.
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